Spokane woman charged with arson after lighting apartment on fire, laughing, documents say

After lighting her apartment on fire, a local woman walked away laughing, court records say.

Natalia Hensz, 23, was arrested Friday and charged with arson.

Police responded Friday to 1408 W. 8th Ave. after multiple reports of an apartment on fire.

One caller said the woman who lives in the apartment set the fire and was walking south on Cedar Street, court records show.

A neighbor told police that he and his mother had fought with Hensz earlier in the day. After the fight, the neighbor heard Hensz breaking things and hitting walls in her apartment, court records say.

An hour later he saw Hensz leaving the apartment with multiple backpacks and duffle bags. The neighbor told police he was happy she was leaving until his mother realized the apartment was on fire.

The neighbor said Hensz stopped across the street and watched the smoke while laughing, court records say.

Fire investigators said there were two fire-start locations and that the fire was intentionally set.

Hensz was booked into jail Saturday morning and is being held on a $20,000 bond. Hensz has other pending charged, including possession of stolen motor vehicle, possession of controlled substances, hit and run, and property damage.

Hensz is the sister of Galina Hensz, who was shot and killed last June in the Ridpath Club Apartments. At the time, Hensz had been staying with her sister in the apartment off and on.

One of Natalia and Galina Hensz’s sisters, Elena Hensz said after Galina’s death Natalia Hensz has been struggling.

“My other sister (Natalia) took it really bad because they were super close,” said Elena Hensz. “We just worry and worry, but there’s nothing we can do.”